The Airlines to Fly If You’re Trying to Eat Healthy

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Cailey Rizzo

December 07, 2016

Staying healthy over the holidays can be difficult—and that extends to flights just as much as your family's holiday feast.

For the eighth year in a row, Dr. Charles Platkin, director of the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College, examined the nutritional options available onboard airlines. And, depending on how travelers feel about their waistlines, the best bet may just be an airport salad.

According to the study, there is no such thing as a healthy mid-flight snack. On any airline.

Virgin America was awarded first place overall for their “interesting, thoughtful food in all categories except for individual snacks,” Platkin wrote on his website. For those looking to choose a nutritional meal aboard Virgin America, Platkin recommends the Ginger Chicken Soba Noodles, Provencal Tuna Sandwich or Vegan Wrap with veggies and humus.

A photo posted by ohsnapitslinz (@ohsnapitslinz) on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:49pm PST

Runners-up were Air Canada and Delta, the later of which also won “most improved” from last year’s in-flight meal options. Both airlines scored four out of a possible four stars for their overall health scores.

But on the other end of the spectrum, Platkin admonished Spirit and Frontier airlines, giving them only one star each and the “Shame on You” award. Neither airline provided the data Platkin requested for nutritional information, and the information that was found showed that health-minded travelers are better off just bringing their own meals.